KOLGUEV

kolguev, kolgueff or kalguyev, an island off the north-west of russia in europe, belonging to the government of archangel. it lies about 50 m. from the nearest point of the mainland, and is of roughly oval form, 54 m. in length from n.n.e. to s.s.w. and 39 m. in extreme breadth. it lies in a shallow sea, and is quite low, the highest point being 250 ft. above the sea. peat-bogs and grass lands cover the greater part of the surface; there are several considerable streams and a large number of small lakes. the island is of recent geological formation; it consists almost wholly of disintegrated sandstone or clay (which rises at the north-west into cliffs up to 60 ft. high), with scattered masses of granite. vegetation is scanty, but bears, foxes and other arctic animals, geese, swans, &c., provide means of livelihood for a few samoyed hunters.